Bootlegger Guitar Jazz Absinthe 2025 Multi Scale Headless Gloss Honey

BootleggerGuitar.com

"Jazzed Up: The Bootlegger Absinthe Guitar Review” 

Can a talented guitarist play a multiple-scale guitar with no multi-scale experience? 

Can a pro guitar player play a multi-scale guitar with no multi-scale experience, and what are the features and playability of the Bootlegger Absinthe guitar? This multi-scale instrument offers unique benefits, such as improved intonation and playability across different registers. The review aims to assess its accessibility for various players, making it a helpful resource for those considering a multi-scale fanned fret guitar 

Bootlegger Jazz Absinthe. A multi-scale guitar.  

A multi-scale fingerboard (also called a multiple-scale length fretboard) is an instrument fretboard that incorporates multiple scale lengths(fanned frets). This allows the treble and bass strings to have different string tensions and, thus, balanced tonal characteristics.

The lowest bass string with the most extended length can be strung at a higher tension than an equally scaled instrument of a comparable size and construction. The opposite is true with the highest string, which experiences a lower tension. This system utilized in guitar fingerboards is identical to that of a piano soundboard and creates the same effect. The tighter lower strings can resonate with more explicit lower overtones, while the looser higher strings can freely create cleaner higher overtones. 

Most modern guitars employ a single scale length for all the instrument's strings. However, the employed scale length can vary significantly between manufacturers (the electric guitar scale typically falls between 24" and 25.5"). This measure is the effective length of each vibrating string, not counting compensation for adjusting intonation.

The Bootlegger Absinthe Jazz is a distinctive iteration of the original Absinthe model, featuring a semi-hollow body, dual-humbucker pickups, and fanned frets. Designed to be lightweight and versatile, it caters to jazz, prog, and fusion musicians. This model marks significant differences from the original Absinthe, introducing a unique option within Bootlegger’s range of guitars.

Key Features

Body: The semi-hollow body reduces weight while providing a mellow sustain, keeping the guitar under five pounds for enhanced comfort.

Pickups include a matched set of 98 Bootlegger humbuckers, which differ from the EMGs found in the original Absinthe. This change alters the tonal characteristics, delivering a warmer sound suited to jazz styles.

Neck: The bolt-on neck allows for easier adjustments and potential shimming, offering more flexibility compared to the original Absinthe's set neck design.

Frets: The fanned frets feature scale lengths of 25.5” for the lowest string and 25” for the highest string, which enhances intonation and playability. This design is often found in high-end boutique guitars, with medium jumbo frets.

Hardware: The guitar has a fixed steel bridge and an individual string lock bell brass system, ensuring tuning stability. This innovative approach allows for action adjustment and intonation customization.

Tuning System: The low “E” and “A” strings require a 6 mm Allen wrench for tuning. While this may be inconvenient for some, it promotes a more stable tuning mechanism. The tool is included.

Overall, the lightweight bridge design and small tuners make adjustments straightforward for the treble strings, while the hex wrench is necessary for the lower strings. Once tuned, the guitar maintains its tuning well.

Finish: Bootlegger Head Black
Neck natural oil
, Body flat black and natural Mahogany

Other Specifications

• Body Spruce and Mahogany
• Neck Hard Maple Canadian
• 24 Frets
• Fretboard Rosewood
• Dual-way Truss Rod
• C-shape Neck
• Fanned Pearl dots and side dots
• 350 Radius
• Pickups per Bootlegger specifications
• Humbucker Alnico (BL201A CR) – Booheung
• Bridge: Humbucker Alnico (BL201A CR) – Booheung
• 3-way switch
• Speed metal knobs volume – tone
• Strings 10’s D.A.
• Hard Case Included
• Pickup options and upgrades are available